About Medicare

The federal Medicare program is an essential pillar of the state’s health care system, supporting more than 6 million Californians over the age of 65 and younger Californians with disabilities. One in five hospitals is at risk of closing, in part because Medicare reimbursement rates are far lower than the cost of providing care. It’s essential that future federal Medicare policy protects patient care.
Medicare Inpatient Rule: Mandatory Bundled Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), which will hold selected hospitals accountable for the cost and quality of certain surgical procedures. TEAM aims to improve outcomes for Medicare patients undergoing certain high-volume surgical procedures while reducing Medicare spending.
CHA Encourages Members to Participate in the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard
What’s happening: CHA is endorsing member participation in the Vitality Index Payer Scorecard, which will provide critical information to support CHA’s advocacy to hold insurers accountable for timely and accurate reimbursement.
What else to know: The CHA Board of Trustees has endorsed this tool, which will automatically draw de-identified claims and remittance information from hospitals without requiring additional reporting or surveys.
Vitality Payer Scorecard: Holding Insurers Accountable
IRF Review Choice Demonstration
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently introduced the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) in Alabama, with plans to expand the program to California in the near future.
Area Wage Index Litigation
This page contains important, members-only information related to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recently finalized area wage index policy. To continue, please log in to your member account.
The Newborn Gateway Webinar
Federal Medicaid Proposed Regulations Webinar
CHA is hosting a webinar featuring Chad Mulvany, Vice President of Federal Policy, and Robert Ducay, Vice President of Policy. Both experts will discuss their insights and potential impacts related to these proposals. They will answer any questions you have about these proposed rules.
Filing the Triennial Occupational Mix Index Report
Filing the Triennial Occupational Mix Index Report webinar will cover the basics of the Occupational Mix Adjustment (OMA), the history and calculation of the OMA, and strategies for improving the accuracy of your Occupational Mix data. This session will be hosted by Fred Fisher and Ryan Sader of Toyon Associates, who will share their expertise gained through the submission and audit support of more than 150 Occupational Mix Surveys.
Medicare Area Wage Index Litigation Update
Since 2020, CHA has sponsored a legal challenge on behalf of its members to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) area wage index (AWI) policies that harm all California hospitals. Register for this webinar and listen to lawyers from Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C. (HLB) for an update on this litigation. Learn about […]
Overview of Changes to the Medicare BPCI-A Payment Model
CMS recently announced the extension of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) model. Join us for this informative webinar as experts provide an overview of the model, including updates for 2024 participation, application considerations, and program details. Organizations that have never applied for BPCI-A, as well as current BPCI-A participants, will benefit from […]